Long, long ago, in a town not so far away, I took a few writing workshops by the wonderful Ann Elia Stewart. At the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, Ann led about a dozen writers to better focus on their craft. We learned to help each other, too. I'm doubly grateful to Ann because through those workshops, I joined three other excellent authors to form a critique group that's lasted for years. They're not just crit partners, but wonderful friends.
Last year, Ann helped coordinate the submission process for a fundraising anthology to benefit the library and the Natalie D. Craumer Writer's Workshop. I submitted two of the literary short stories I worked on during that time, along with my three critique partners, and I'm excited we've all been accepted!
The anthology will be titled: A Community of Writers. A collection of short stories from the Natalie D. Craumer Writer's Workshop of the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Here's the full list of authors and their stories:
Susan Bangs - The Things She Chose to Keep
Rayne Ayers Debski - Hunting Season
Margaret DeAngelis - Take Care
C.A. Masterson - Survivor Barbie
C.A.Masterson - Dissipation
Duffy Batzer - "Oops," said God
Lori M. Myers - Smoke
Don Helin - A Soldier's Gift
Don Helin - Creature of Habit
Larry C. Kerr - A Cautious Life
Gina Napoli - Operation Pumpkin Patch
Cathy Jordan - The Green-Eyed Monster
Madelyn Killion - Free as a Bluejay
Maria McKee - Number 11
Maria McKee - The Nature of Sin
D.A. Morrow - Dragon Riders
Debra A. Varsanyi - Moving Targets
Bob Walton - 4:30
Carol A. Lauver - The Surprise Party
Susan E. Bangs - The Mirror
Laurie J. Edwards - Angels in the Mist
Susan Girolami Kramer - Dead Letters
Marlene Ross -- Betsy's Delight
Ann Elia Stewart -- Swan Song
But wait, you don't see "Cate Masters" in that list? You're right. I used my full maiden name then - C.A. Masterson. :)
Congrats to all!
And a special thanks to Ann for all her efforts in coordinating it, but especially for her enduring enthusiasm and encouragement to all writers, and for helping to shape so many communities of writers.
I'll post more information as the process moves forward. It's a worthwhile cause, and I'm proud to be part of an effort to continue helping other writers.
If I'd had a crystal ball, I would have made a prediction about an anthology I've been editing. Several well-known authors have contributed stories. Very exciting, except I was worried about dealing with divas.
And I definitely am.
They fight every suggestion made by me or the other editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders. Even when five people on the editorial team insist something isn't working, they totally ignore the suggestions. They skip over requests for edits, so the manuscript has to be sent back multiple times requesting the same rewrites. They're so tied to their words that they argue about even small changes. Exactly what I was expecting, except...
The writers who are doing this are NOT the big-name authors.
The multi-published authors are a dream to work with. They turn in their edits on time and do a wonderful job on any requested rewrites, making the story stronger each time. They say "thank you" for the suggestions and say that the edits have improved the story. And every single one of them ends with a final line something like this: "If this doesn't work, please let me know, and I'll be glad to rewrite it."
So who are these divas I'm working with? They're the pre-published writers, the newbies, the ones who have had two magazine stories published in local magazines. They're the ones who are so puffed up about being included in an anthology with "real" authors that they cling doggedly to every word, every idea. "If this story was good enough to get me accepted, it should be ready to publish as is" is their mantra. They fail to realize that most editors accept on potential, not perfection. And sadly, they're making a name for themselves as being hard to work with, which may mean this could be their only shot at publication.
So while my peek into the crystal ball was accurate, the details were murky. I've learned that far from being divas, published authors are willing to work at their craft and seek ways to improve what they write. Which, most likely, is the real reason they're published.
I was thrilled to get a wonderful review this week for "Summer Storms," my story in the YA anthology Summer Lovin'. Then when I found out it was up for Book of the Week at LASR, I emailed everyone I know to vote for it on 8/15 & 8/16 at:
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm
Exciting, right?? But when I looked more closely, I discovered that not only was my book up for the award, but it looks as if my fellow Susquehanna Writer Cate Masters also has a book up for the same honor. And would you believe two other friends are in the running? I guess I hang around with stellar authors. So now what do I do? Do I vote for my book & support my fellow authors? Or should I show my support for my good friend Cate? Or for one of my other friends? What would you do if it were you?
Bet you already know the answer. Cate gets my vote.
I’ve never read anything by Ms. Edwards, but I have to say after reading this story that I plan to read some more from this talented author. Summer Storms was my favorite of the anthology.
A heart touching story...There is some great writing going on in this story. I could feel the urgency and emotions of these characters caught in a possibly deadly situation. Outstanding.
Summer Lovin' is now available for purchase in print at Barnes & Noble and Amazon(no cover picture there yet, unfortunately).
It wasn't supposed to be out until July 10, so I'm excited! My author copies are winging their way to me now. To celebrate, I'm posting an excerpt and will give away a copy of the e-book to one lucky person who comments either here or at my blog.
Do you remember your first love? Your first kiss? Drop by and tell us about it.
BLURB:
SUMMER LOVIN’ is a collection of love stories by authors Dara Edmondson, Laurie J. Edwards, Mona Ingram, Kimberlee R. Mendoza, Sydney Shay, and June Sproat about life on a ranch, summer jobs, sandcastle competitions, the tragedy of a flood, and falling in love with a rock star.
My story in the anthology is “Summer Storms”: Sixteen-year-old Paige nearly drowns as she rescues a Pomeranian trapped in floodwaters that sweep through her town. Chase, the hottie who saves her, wants to help her and her mother, but Paige won’t accept charity. And can she risk him unmasking the family secret she’s kept hidden?
EXCERPT (Paige and her mother try to escape the flood sweeping through town. Waves have just smashed the branches of an uprooted tree through their window):
Picking her way over the broken glass, Paige lunged for the tree. Icy water soaked her sneakers and jeans. The suitcase banged against the trunk and almost slid from her grasp. Her fingers raked down the rough bark, tearing her palms. The tree bobbed up and down as water assaulted it.
Paige climbed on and wrapped one arm around an upright branch. Staying seated was like riding a bucking bronco. She wedged the suitcase between two branches and then leaned forward to extend a hand to Mama, who was scrambling for balance.
As she got Mama situated, another wave rocked the tree. The suitcase slid. Before Paige could grab it, it plunged into the water below. What had they lost? Her mind was a blur. But Mama was safe. That was the important thing.
She wrested the other suitcase from Mama’s grip and slid the handle over an upright tree branch. Mama clung to another branch as the tree shuddered. As long as the tree didn’t roll, they could float to safety. She hoped.
Wood cracked and splintered. Only a bit more and the branch would break free. Then they’d be at the mercy of the river.
A tiny yip caused Paige to turn. A Pomeranian paddled furiously in the sludge between their house and the one next door. Its fur slicked tight to its head, the dog panted as it struggled to keep its head above water. The tree had dammed the floodwaters between the buildings, but once the dog reached the rushing water, it would be doomed.
Paige clutched the branch with one hand and leaned back until her muscles screamed in agony. The dog struggled closer, but she couldn’t reach it. She gripped the trunk between her legs and let go of the branch. Still, the gap was too great.
Mama screamed, “No, Paige, no!”
But Paige ignored her. She inched backward and reached for the dog. With a great rending sound, the branch holding the tree in place tore free of its mooring. And with a sucking sound, the tree shot into the raging current.
Want to find out what happens next? Pick up a copy of Summer Lovin’. “Summer Storms” is only one of six stories in the anthology. All the stories in the anthology are different, so I’m sure you’ll find one you just love.
